Luggage carrier having projectable and retractible supporting rollers



W. C. JONES LUGGAGE CARRIER HAVING PROJECTABLE AND RETRACTABLE SUPPORTING ROLLERS Jan. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 29, 1948 IN VEN TOR. QWQMAk/BQ Goof ATTORNEY Jan. 8, 1952 w. c. JONES v LUGGAGE CARRIER HAVING PROJECTABLE AND RETRACTABLE SUPPORTING ROLLERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29, 1948 INVENTOR.

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ATTORA Y Jan. -8, 1952 w.'c. JONES LUGGAGE CARRIER HAVING PROJECTABLE AND RETRACTABLE SUPPORTING ROLLERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 29, 1948 INVENTOR @ooflm ym w;

Vllifllll Patented Jan. 8, 1952 Li JGoAGn CARRIER HAVING :PROQIECTABLE AND RETRACTIBLE SUPPORTING ROLLERS Wendell 'obd1e"'y Jons', Woodstock, N. Y.

application July 29, 1948, SerialNo. 41,369

Claims. (01. 280- 38) My-invention ,relatesbroad-ly to luggage and more particularly to luggageflquipmentwith :extendible and retractable, rollers *for facilitating the.transportationthereof. One of the objects of my. inventioni-s to provide a construction of luggage, carrier having retractable and projectablerollers therein where the rollers are normally housed in streamlined relation to the luggage andwh-ichmay be projected therefrom when the luggage is to be trans ported an appreciable distance.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction Qf nounting means for rollers associated with luggag y which the r llers may be normally latched within the luggage and. projected therefrom when it is desired'tofacilitate movement of the luggage, by rolling the luggage over an appreciable distance.

.A still further object of. my invention is to provide a mechanism for coordinating the projection and retraction of roller devices, with respect to the wall structure of luggageunder control of the inward and outwardmovement of 'a handle device associated with luggage.

Still another object of my invention is to .pro-

vide a construction of handle devicefor roller equipped luggage which may also serve as. an auxiliary support in association with theluggage.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the roller and handle mechanism for lug-' gage as set forth more particularly in-the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawingsinwhich: s Figure 1 is a side .elevational view showing myinvention applied to a conventional suitcase i or sample caseas an illustrationpfluggage eguipped with thestructure 01; my invention, and particularly, illustrating an auxiliary net. sup-.- ported by the handle ,for carrying an additional load; Fig. '2,is a fragmentaryiront elevational view of the auxiliary loadcarrier illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows another method of supporting an auxiliary load withrespect-tosthe. luggage carrierequipped with the retractable and projectable roller means of lmyinvention; Fig, '4 is a front elevational view of the-luggage carrier-illustrated in Fig. 3 and showing more particularly the manner of supporting the. auxiliary load therein; .Fig. 5 shows the application of the lug; gage carrier 0f my invention for the support of anauxiliaryload on the extended handle; Fig.6 is. a fragmentary e levational view. showing the manner of 'supportingthe auxiliary load on the extended handle structureshown in Fig.5; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken through the luggage equipped. with the extendible and retractable rollers in accordance with my inventionand illustrating the position of the rollers .with the handle moved to a position within the luggage; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but. illustratingthe handlewithdrawn from the luggage and the rollers. automatically projected therefrom; Fig. ,9 is an enlarged {ragmentary sectional view showing the rollers in projectedposition under control of the projected handle device; Fig. :10 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially .on linelll-lfl of Fig. 9; Fig. 1- 1 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the rollermemberin retracted position; Fig. -12 is a fragmentary end elevational' view partially in. section-and showing theroller mechanism in Fig. 11 with theroller in retracted position; Fig. :13 is a longitudinal sectional view through the projecta-bl'e and retractable roller mechanism and illustrating. the :speed reduction gear for controlling the projection and retraction of the roller; Fig. .14 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line I4=l4 of Fig. 13 and showi gthe roller in retracted position; Fig. .1 5 is a plan view partially in section and illustrating the mechanism for controlling the projection and retraction of the roller member; Fig. 16.is a plan view showing the: assembly of the handle mechanismof the projectable and retractable rollers for the luggage, the walls of the luggage being shown in section; Fig. 17 is a bottom plan view of the luggage illustrating the rollers in projected position; Fig. 18 is an end view of the luggage illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 with the handlev in projected position; Fig. 19 is a detail of the strap fastener for supporting the auxiliary load with respect to the luggage as illustrated. in Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 20 shows a modified form of the handle when recessed into the end of theluggage in stream lin'ed position; Fig. 21 is anagmentar longitudinal sectional view of the recessed .handle in the end of the lu ge, the .view being takensubstantially on line 2l-2l oi'Fig. 20 Fig. 22. is a fragmentary plan view showing my. invention as applied to a .steamertrunk with the handle in stowed position; Fig. 23 is. a view. similar to the view shown in Fig. 22 but with the. handle extended position; Fig. 24 is a sectional view showing a moan fied form of my invention where each individual roller. is locked into. stowed or streamlined position. within the luggage, theparticular form illujs trated.havingincludeda. pair of rollers; Fig. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 25==25 of Fig.. 24; Fig. 26 i's'an elevational view showing the dual rollers in projected position looking in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 27; Fig. 2'7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view with the rollers projected as illustrated in Fig. 26; and Fig. 28 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 28-28 of Fig. 24 with the rollers housed in streamlined position within the luggage.

My invention is directed to wheeled luggage for facilitating the transportation of heavily loaded luggage. Wherever in the specification and claims I refer to luggage or luggage carriers I intend to embrace all forms of load carrying devices. In the application of my invention to conventional suitcases I may arrange the roller mechanism in streamlined relation to theme gage so that the roller mechanism may be normally locked within the luggage while the luggage is being carried in conventional manner and unlocked to enable theroller mechanism to be moved to extended position when the loaded suitcase is to be rolled over an appreciable distance. In one form of my invention" I provide mechanism which correlates movement of the handle with the projection'and'retraction of the roller mechanism so that as the handle is pushed into the luggage the roller mechanism is automatically retracted, whereas when'the handle is pulled out from the luggage the roller mechanism is automatically projected for supporting the load. I realize that various modifications of the mechanism illustrated herein may be employed for controlling the projection and retraction'of the rollers-and I desire that it be understood that the'mechanism'shown-herein shall be considered in the illustrative-sense and not in the limiting sense. a

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character I in Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional suitcase with the projectable and retractable roller mechanism indicated generally at 2 installed in the lower end thereof, and with the proiectable handle mechanism indicated at 3 installed in the opposite end thereof. The handle 3 is substantially in the form of a U, having longitudinally extending portions telescopically sliding into the luggage through longitudinally extending tubes 4 and 5 installed therein immediately adjacent the inside of one of the plane walls thereof. "When handle 3 is moved to the extended position shown in Fig. 1 and when the roller mechanism illustrated generally at 2 is in its projected position as shown, a net 6 may be hooked between the opposite sides of the U by means of hook members illustrated at l engageable over the longitudinally extendingportions of the handle 3 and serves as'a' carrier for an additional load; This net 6 is particularly adaptable as a back-rest in carrying a small child who may be seated on the upper end is of the suitcase, thereby facilitating both the transportation of the child and the loaded luggage over a substantial distance. The opposite end of the suitcase lb is provided with recessed hook devices which I have indicated at 8 and 9 in Fig. 4, each of which receives the hook shaped ends Ill and I l of the straps l 2 and i4 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The straps I2 and I4 extend over the plane wall surface I c of the" suitcase and terminate in hooks l5 and i6 which readily engage around the longitudinally extending p01- tions of handle =3. These straps l2 and I 4 are provided with adjustable buckles i1 and I8 which permit additional articles, such as illustrated at Hi, to be readily strapped against the 4 plane wall surface lc of the suitcase and moved as an additional load facilitated byroller mechanism 2 rolling'over the plane surface 20.

The assembly of the projectable and retractable handle 3 with respect to suitcase l is such that I may employ the carrier as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 for supporting an auxiliary load 2| resting against the upper end la of the suitcase and against the projected handle 3. This additional facility is well adapted for the support of a portable radio set, for example.

The essential consideration in the development of myinvention has been the assembly of the fittings which carry the rollers in the fiat plane-like wall of the luggage so that the lug gage is rolled with its major plane surfaces ex [tending at an angle to the surface over which the luggage is transported. This is to be very clearly distinguished from any proposal of mounting roller mechanism adjacent the end of the luggage to enable the luggage to be rolled in rela tively the same position in which it is normally carried ashand luggage. in other words, in ap plying the mechanism of my invention to luggage I wouldarrange the mechanism so that the plane of the luggage is displaced substantially aw y from the plane in which the lug age is normally carried by hand. This greatly stabilizes the 1ug= gage in its rolling movement and thereby permits the luggage to serve as support for additional luggage which would otherwise not be practical where the luggage rolled is in the same vertical plane in which it is normally manually carried.

In Figs. 7-18 I have shown one form of mechanism embodying the principles of my invention which coordinates the movement of the handle 3 with the projection and retraction of the roller mechanism. The longitudinally extending members 4 and B extend longitudinally throughi spaced fittings '24 and 23 installed interiorly of the suitcase and immediately adjacent the opposite sides thereof adjacent the plane wan Id thereof. The fittings 24 and 25 are each formed from rigid metallic construction and are rein forced with respect to the sides of the luggage to ensure a construction which will Withstand severe strains as the entire weight of the lag gage is divided between thejtwo fittings 24 and 25. For this purpose each fitting 24 and 25 is reinforced by an upstanding bracket represented at 26 riveted to the end lb of the lug age. Bracket 26 also serves as a securing nieansfor the recessed hook device 8 shown inoreparticu larly in Fig. 19 and by which the strappin of anauxiliary load to the luggage is effected.- This auxiliary hook device shown more particularly in Fig. 19 comprises'a disc-shaped member 21 secured by means of rivet 28 to the end lb of the luggage and through the bracket 26 of the fitting within the luggage. The disc 21 has a recessed opening 29 therein into which the hook ill attached 'to strap i2 is conveniently attachable. Thus the load is distributed to the fitting 24 through bracket 26 and not directly to the wall structure of the luggage. Fitting 24 is riveted to the wall Id of the luggage as represented at 30 and to the 'end lb of the luggage as represented at 3|. The ends of the tubular members i and 5 extend through upstanding transveres flanges of? each of the fittings 24 and 25 as represented at; 24a and 24b. The'end of each tubular member 4 and 51s secured to the end lb of the lu gage; I have indicated this in the case of tubular member 4 by plug 32 secured by fastening means 3:? through the end it of the luggage. Plug 32? is suitablysecured to the end :01 tube 4 isothat-a rigid connection may bemade thereto by iatteni'n'g means '33 extending through the end :11) of the-luggage.

Each-fitting 24 and 25 is provided with .apartitioned frame represented at 34 and secured between the flanges 24a and 24b. The partitioned frame as is provided with spaced parallel extending members 35, 35, and 3? which serve as journall-ing means for the mechanism which controlls the rollers. As shown in Figs. 7' 16 plate members 35 and '3! serve as journallih'g means for the substantially U-shaped'frame '38 pivotally mounted at 39. The substantially 'U- shaped frame 38 includes a pair of substantially mounted therein and yieldably mounted withre- 'spect to axle 43 at one end, as represented more clearly in Fig. 15, and yieldably mounted with respect to pivot member 39 at the other end. Yieldable strap member 42 carries a detent 43 therein, adapted to register with aperture 44 in plate 37 when the-roller is in stowed position. In Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown the manner inwhich detent 43 engages beneath the p eripheral edge of plate 3'! when the roller is in projected position for latching the roller in projected position. Before retracting the rollers it is necessary to press detent 43 inwardly against spring 32 to enable substantially U-shaped frame 38 to move into the housing and between plates 36 and 3], as shown more clearly in Fig. 14.

In order to properly control the movement of roller member 4| there must be a reduction in movement between the length of the stroke of the handle device 3 and the angular distance through which substantially U-shaped frame 38 must move. A variety of mechanisms may be provided for this purpose and I have illustrated one form of such mechanism for the purpose of explaining myinvention, but I desire that it be understood that modifications of such mechanism may be provided and no limitations on my invention to the particular mechanism shown are intended.

Inasmuch as each of the rollers provided in spaced positions in the plane side wall of the luggage is identical in construction I have indicated in Figs. 16 and 1'? the two rollers and their-associated control mechanism by the same reference characters bearing a prime relation to each other, i. e., substantially U-shaped frame 38' corresponds to frame 38 heretofore explained, and roller 4! corresponds to roller 4! heretofore explained. The mechanism is mounted with respect tothe plates 35-", 36', and 37 which correspond to the plates 33, 36, and 3? heretofore explained.

In order to control the projection and retrac. tion of the roller members 4! and 3| simultaneously with the projection and retraction of the handle 3, I provide a slot within tubular members 4 and 5 as represented at- 45 and 45']. Be.- neath each of these slots I arrange a 'raclrextension 46 and 46', coextensive with thelon'gi tudinally extending ends of the handle"3' with Host motion aeonne'ctions represented at =41 and interposed therein. illhat is to say, 21' pro 'vid'e a ll'oo's'e icoup'ling lcorinection between the projectable land iretractable end of the handle and the racks E6 and-4B so that handle 3 :can be readily istowed with respect to the end 'tvall *i'a "of the luggage and yet 'sufficient tran- 'ssitory movement imparted to the racks 46 and '48" to ensure operation of the retractable and eitend-ible mechanism; In Figs. 20 and 21 I have shown one manner of mounting the handle 23 with respect to the end 1a of the luggage wherein the :end "1a is provided with :a transversely extending recess is conforming to the shape of the handle 3 be projected inwardly into the end of the luggage and in substantially streamlined relation thereto. Thus handle 3 is concealed and roller members 2 are concealed streamlined relation "to the sides of the luggage. 'lnasmuch as the conn'ectlng hooks 8 are substantially coplanar with the end lb of the luggage, the luggage for all practical purposes has "the appearance of conventional luggage when is being carried by the conventional andl'e which have indicated at 48 in Figs. 4, iv, and '18.

The handle 3 carries-a {pair of spring 'actuii-ted accents l9 and 39' which latch the handle '3 m its extended position as it is withdrawn from 'the lug'gag'e. The spring actuated detents #9 and 48 must be {manually pressed inwardly order remove the handle 3 to retracted posiuse.

was racks "It and --"4t';mesh with rack gears 50 and 30' which extend through slots 45 and 45' tubes! and '5 respectively. The rack gears 5:0 and 50' are carried b'y transversely extending shaft members i'l and 51' respectively. These sl iaft members 51 and SI are journalled in the upst ncmg plates 3-5, as, and 31 and 35', 36, and 31-'. ;-snsninemcers 5i and 5| carry gears 52 and 52 respectively, disposed in a position intermediate vertically extending plates 35 and 36 and 35? and 36]. A counter-shaft 53 is journall'e-d between plates '35 and 36 and carries a gear 5' l which meslies with gear 52. Similarly, cou'nter shaft 53' is journalled between plates 35 and 35' and carries gear 54 thereon meshing with gear '52. Shaft 53 carries asprocketgear 55 which is engaged by the sprocket chain 55 which loops overthe sprocket gear 51 carried by span 33'jburn'al1ed in plates 35, 36, and 31. Shaft is keyed to the frame 38 which carries the roller 41 so that as gear 54 revolves sprocket gears rotates. sprocket chain 56 is moved, wheel 5'! is revolved and shaft 39 is revolved to move frame carrying roller 4l to a projected posit on illustrated more clearly in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. The ratios "oi' the gearshas been developed in approximately the ratio of one to three, so that projection and retraction of the ne'r membsrs s controlled at a slower rate than the mwajrqena outward movement of the handle 3. It will be ui'lfir s tood that the components in the complementary fitting installed in the luggage are or identical construction with the components heretofore explained and are illustrated as heretofore noted by corresponding reference characters with prime designations added thereto.

In Figs. 22 and 23 I have shown the application of my invention to a steamer trunk wherein the steamer trunk is illustrated in horizontal sectlon at 58 wherein tubular members 59 and '60 extend the length of the bottom of the trunk and 7 are securely braced therein bybrackets GI and 62 and are secured at the ends thereof at 63 and 84. The end of the steamer trunk is recessed as represented at 65 for the entry of handle member 65 into streamlined relation with the end of the trunk as represented in Fig. 22. In this embodiment of my invention tubes 59 and 60 are each slotted as represented at 59a and 60a and pins 65a and 66b carried by handle-member 66 project outwardly through slots- 59a and 60a which serve to restrict the outward movementof handle member $6. In this particular embodiment of my invention there is no coordination between the movement of the handle and the movement of the roller members as the roller members are independently unlatched and moved to operative position manually in this form of myinvention.

In Fig. 24 I have shown the manually controlled form of roller fitting which may be employed in association with the manually controlled handle arrangement of Figs. 22 and 23. In this form of my invention a frame 61 having upwardly extending reinforcing bracket 68 is secured interiorly of the trunk 58 and securely-fastened thereto by securing means such as rivets 69, 10, l I, and 72. Frame structure 13 is arranged within the frame 6! and serves as a journalling means for shaft M. Shaft 14 provides a bearing for the roller frame 15 which carries on the extremity thereof the axle 76 on which roller 11 is supported. The roller frame 15 is provided with an inwardly extending locking plate portion 18 aper- .tured at T8 to enable the locking bolt Bil-of the lock member 8l to be projected therethrough 1 when the lock member 81 is moved to a position aligned with locking plate 18 as represented in Fig. 24. Lock member 8! is carried by a pivotally mounted plate 82 journalled at 83 within the frame structure-l3; A cylinder lock forming part of lock member 8! is adapted tobe operated by key represented at 85 in order to withdraw looking bolt 80 fromlocking plate 18 or to project the locking bolt into the lockingplate.

ihe roller frame 15 carries spring strip member 86 interiorly thereof with detents81- and 88 extending laterally therefrom; These detents normally enter apertures 90 and Si in the sides of the frame 92 for maintaining the roller member in retracted position and to project beneath the edge of frame structure." as represented in Fig. 27 for maintaining the roller member in projected position. The two extreme positions of the roller member may be seen in Fig. 24 as housed within the trunk and in Fig. 27 as projecting from the trunk. It will be observed that considerable reinforcement is provided for the roller members in projected position by the abutment of the top portion 93 of roller frame 15 with the peirpheral edge 13:; .of frame structure 13 as shown in Fig. 27. p In order to handle the heavy loads incident to the movement of loaded trunks, I may. employ dual rollers as represented'at H 4 and 95 in Figs. and 26. The load is thus distributed over a large area facilitating, transportation of the trunk. It will be understood that two such fittings as hereinbefore described are provided in spaced locations adjacent the lower end of the trunk and that the components thereof are similar to the components hereinbefore described.

I realize that modifications may be made in the arrangement of gearing and'in the arrangement of projecting the roller members and streamlined position within the luggage to projected position 8 beyond the luggage; and vice versa, and I do not intend that my invention shall be'llmited to the particular illustrative disclosure set forth herein. Also, I realize that modifications may be made in the form of the lock for latching the rollers in streamlined position within the luggage in the forms of my invention in which the manual control is employed as distinguished from correlated automatic control of the handle and projectable and retractable rollers. Accordingly, I desire it to be understood that no limitation upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows: Y 1. A luggage carrier comprising a case substantially in the form of a parallelepiped having one of the walls thereof slotted at spaced positions adjacent one end of the carrier, a fitting disposed in each of the slotted portions of the carrier, a frame pivotally mounted in each of said fittings adjacent the end of the carrier, each of said fitting including a base portion adapted to extend in coplanar relation with the side wall of said carrier when said frame members are moved to retracted position within the carrier, a roller member journaled in each of said frame members and adapted to support the load of said carrier when said frame members are moved to projected position, a pair of spaced tubular members disposed within said carrier adjacent one wall thereof and connected with each of said fittings, and a handle member projectable into and extendible in said tubular members.

2. In a wheeled support for a luggage carrier,

substantially in the form of a parallelepiped having a pair of spaced side walls forming the sides of the luggage carrier, one of said side walls having spaced slots therein adjacent one end thereof, a housing member individual to each of the slotted portions of the side wall, a frame pivotally mounted in each of said housing frames, said frame including a back portion terminating short of the length of the housing frame to provide a finger grip entrance for withdrawing said frame from said housing frame, and a roller member carried by each of said frames for supporting and moving said luggage carrier, the back portion of said frame establishing abutting relation with one end of said frame member when said frame is moved out of said frame members for supporting the mass of said carrier above the roller.

3. In a wheeled support for a luggage carrier, substantially in the form of a parallelepiped having a pair of spaced side walls forming the sides of the luggage carrier, one of said side walls having spaced slots therein adjacent one end thereof, a housing member individual to each of the slotted portions of the side wall, a substantially U-shaped frame pivotally mounted in each of said housing frames and carrying a roller member journaled therein, said substantially U -shaped frame including a back portion terminating short of the length of the housing frame to-provide a finger grip entrance forangularly moving said substantially U-shaped frame from said housing frame, and means associated with each of said frames for positively latching said frames in either projected or retracted positionwith respect to the side wall of the luggage carrier, the back portions of said frame establishing abutting relation with one end of said housings when said frames are projected out of said housings for supporting the mass of said carrier above said roller members. I

4. In a wheeled support for a luggage carrier, substantially in the form of a parallelepiped having a pair of spaced side walls forming the sides of the luggage carrier, one of said side walls having spaced slots therein adjacent one end thereof, a housing member individual to each of the slotted portions of the side Wall, a frame pivotally mounted in each of said housing frames, said frame including a back portion terminating short of the length of the housing frame to provide a finger grip entrance for withdrawing said frame from said housing frame, a roller member carried by each of said frame for supporting and moving said luggage carrier, means associated with each of said frames for positively latching said frames in either projected or retracted position with respect to the side wall of the luggage carrier, and separate means for locking said frames in housed positions within said housing frames.

5. A luggage carrier comprising in combination with a luggage case a handle structure extendible from and projectable into the case, a pair of spaced frame housings disposed in one wall of the case adjacent the end thereof, frames pivotally mounted in each of said frame housings, a roller member journaled in each of said frames, and

10 coacting rack pinion and gear means interposed between said handle structure and each of said frames for controlling the projection and retraction of said frames through angular distances of approximately 90 during the linear projection and retraction of said handle structure with respect to the end of said case, said frames establishing abutting relation with said frame housings when said frames are projected from said frame housings for supporting said case above said roller members.

WENDELL COOLEY JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 44,936 Clapp Nov. 8, 1864 854,602 Peterson May 21, 1907 863,972 Ehlers Aug. 20, 1907 1,081,670 James Dec. 16, 1913 2,002,836 Rossi May 28, 1935 2,439,660 Keil Apr. 13, 1948 2,510,754 Norlin June 6, 1950 

